Buying a pedigree puppy

If you're looking for a pedigree dog, start by researching which breeds suit your family and lifestyle. A dog is a big commitment, so make sure you are ready practically and financially before you go any further.

What is a pedigree dog?

A pedigree dog's parents are both of the same breed. A cross-breed's parents are of different breeds. Whichever you choose, you want a puppy who is healthy, happy and well cared for.

A pedigree puppy can be registered with the Kennel Club only if both parents are registered and the breeder registers the litter. There are other registration bodies, but the Kennel Club is the best known in the UK. A Kennel Club registered pedigree can be entered in breed shows; Crufts requires dogs to qualify first.

Finding a responsible breeder

Look for an experienced breeder who can guide you on caring for your puppy. As well as adverts, you can find breeders through breed clubs, recommendations, dog shows and registered breeder lists.

Visit a few breeders, and visit your chosen breeder more than once before you pay any deposit. A responsible breeder will understand why you want to be careful. If a breeder refuses more than one visit and insists you pay a deposit straight away, treat this as a warning sign. The puppies could come from a puppy farm.

In England, Lucy's Law means puppies under six months old can only be sold by the person who bred them or by a rehoming centre. If anyone else is selling a young puppy, walk away.

When you visit

Puppies should not leave their mother before 8 weeks old. Some breeders keep them a little longer.

Use your visits to watch the puppies and their mother. Take a list of questions. Look at how the puppies play with their littermates and whether they seem healthy and happy. Are they calm and playful, or snappy and nervous? Is their living area clean?

Some breeds are more prone to inherited health problems than others, so read up on your chosen breed before you visit and ask about the parents' health tests. You may also want your own vet to check the puppy before you decide.

A responsible breeder will ask you plenty of questions too. They want their puppies to go to good homes, and may refuse to sell to someone they are unsure about.

Vaccinations and microchipping

A responsible breeder will have ensured that the puppies have received their first round of vaccinations before they go to their new homes. The paperwork should be genuine and in order. You can check it with the vet practice named on it.

In England, Scotland and Wales, breeders must have puppies microchipped by 8 weeks old and be recorded as the first keeper. When you take your puppy home, update the microchip database with your details. Keepers who fail to comply can be fined up to £500. Northern Ireland has its own rules.

Pedigree paperwork

After you buy your puppy, ask for the registration paperwork showing where the puppy is registered, usually with the Kennel Club. Our article Pedigree Paperwork explains in more detail what you should get from the breeder.

Read the terms and conditions of the sale carefully, and make sure you are happy with every clause before you sign or pay a deposit. Make sure the receipt clearly sets out what has been agreed.

Avoiding puppy farmers

Not every breeder has their dogs' welfare at heart. Puppy farmers breed dogs purely for profit. Their dogs are often kept in poor conditions, the mothers are bred again and again without proper care, and the puppies can have serious health problems.

If you are suspicious of a seller, or anything seems unlawful, don't buy. Report them to your local council or the RSPCA (Scottish SPCA in Scotland, USPCA in Northern Ireland). Buying from these sellers, even to "rescue" a puppy, keeps them in business.